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Union students get sensation of walking on water
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Francesca Rubesa, (left) gets help placing her fish from her teacher Nancy Zamary in the ocean bubble at Union Elementary School.
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Neighbors | Eartha Terrell.Nancy Zamary's first-grade class showed off their fish designs they made for the Ocean Bubble at Union Elementary School May 23.
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Joseph Best (right) and Aden Davis colored bright fish to hang up in the ocean bubble at Union Elementry School May 23.
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Isabella Beights (right) and classmate Madelyn smile as they try and decide where to hang their fish in the ocean bubble at Union Elementary School May 23.
By EARTHA TERRELL
Union Elementary first-grade students gave walking on water a different meaning May 22 as they learned about the ocean in a new way.
Union principal Michael Masucci created an ocean bubble made out of layers of thick sheets of plastic glued together.
Once the plastic bubble is blown up, students walked inside and decorated it with photos of fish and other ocean-related drawings.
“It’s a different way to teach rather than being in a classroom,” Zamary said.
When first-grade students walked into the ocean bubble, which is 10 feet tall, they’re amazed.
“When people are stepping inside it feels like they’re walking on water,” Zamary said.
The ocean bubble culminated with Zamary’s class week-long ocean project.
“We’ve read the book “The Rainbow Fish” and do a bunch of activities about fish,” Zamary said.
Masucci even placed a candle that smells like the ocean in the bubble to create a more realistic experience for his students. Students didn’t want to return to their classrooms after entering the ocean bubble.
“They’re so excited,” Zamary said.
The experience in the bubble provides students with a more interactive way to learn about life underwater that isn’t mundane.
“It’s really a teaching tool that captivates students,” said Zamary.